5. The uk economic geography

The economic geography of the UK reflects not only its current position in the global economy, but its long history both as a trading nation and an imperial power. The UK led the industrial revolution and its highly urban character is a legacy of this, with all its major cities being current or former centers of all forms of manufacturing. However, this in turn was built on its exploitation of natural resources, especially coal and iron ore.

5.1. The UK manufacturing

The top concerns of heavy manufacturing in the UK are:

• oil and gas production: UK is the world’s ninth largest oil producer and the fifth largest gas producer;

• power generation: UK has the largest energy resources of any EC country (oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear power);

• mineral and metal products: UK is a one of the major steel producers; in addition to its large output of aluminum and copper, UK also produces specialized alloys for the aerospace, electronic, petrochemical, nuclear and other fuel industries. The ceramics industry manufactures domestic pottery, sanitary ware and tiles;

• chemical industry: the most rapid growth in recent years has been in pharmaceuticals, pesticides and cosmetics;

• mechanical engineering: major products include plant and machinery for industries such as chemicals, power and water, as well as fabricated steel for bridges, buildings and industrial installations;

• electrical, electronic and instrument engineering;

• motor vehicles production: car output is dominated by Rover (which is British), Ford, Peugeot Talbot and Nissan;

• shipbuilding and marine engineering;

• light industry includes textiles, clothing and footwear manufacturing: UK’s wool textile industry is one of the largest in the world and is centered in northern England. The linen industry is based in Northern Ireland.

Besides, among ten largest manufacturing concerns in UK are BAT Industries (tobacco products, food, drinks, etc.). Scotch whisky is one of UK’s top five export earners.

Other major industries include timber and furniture, paper, printing and publishing, rubber tyres and tubes, toys, sports equipment and jewellery.

5.2. The uk agriculture

Most UK agriculture is intensive and highly mechanized, with the use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides routine. By European standards it is very efficient, although that does not necessarily make it profitable. It uses around 71% of the country's land area, contributes about 0.6% of its gross value added (total value of goods and services produced in the country) and employs 1.6% of the workforce. The UK produces less than 60% of the food it eats and the industry's share of the national economy is declining.

East Anglia and South East England have been centers for grain production, with some areas of South East England also specializing in market gardening. The county of Kent was so well-known for this that it is often referred to as the Garden of England and was particularly noted for hop growing. Over half of full-time farmers in the UK are devoted mainly to dairying or beef cattle and sheep. Dairy farming is prevalent in South West England.

5.3. The UK fishing industry

The UK is one of the world’s leading fishing nations. The fishing industry provides 59% by quantity of British fish supplies. A lot of coastal towns have large fishing industries.

5.4. The UK service sector is the dominant sector of the UK economy accounting for 65% of UK’s gross domestic product. It includes:

• retailing: UK has a mixture of large shopping facilities with both large “out of town” stores and in-town shopping centers;

• financial services: stock exchange, now concentrated overwhelmingly in the City of London and Canary Wharf;

• tourism: the 6^th largest industry in the UK and employs nearly 1,5 million people;

• insurance: UK has the world’s biggest insurance industry – with about 20% of the international market.

The service sector also includes education, health and social services, hotels and restaurants, public administration and defence, real estate, transport, storage and communication, etc.

5.5. The UK creative industries include advertising, film and television production, product design, book and music publishing, fine art and antiques markets.

5.6. The UK transport is well developed with an integrated system of airports (471 including international ones (Heathrow, Birmingham, Glasgow)), seaports (Felixstowe, Tilbury, Southampton – three major ones that handle most freight traffic), railways (National Rail network) and roads.

6. London – the capital city of the UK

London, the capital of England and the UK, is the world’s ninth-largest city with the population of over 8 million people. It originated nearly 2 000 years ago with the arrival of the Romans soon after their invasion of Britain in AD 43. London is situated on the banks of the river Thames, in southeast England.

London is made up of two ancient cities which are now joined together. They are:

• the City of London, known simply as “the City” which is the business and financial heart of the United Kingdom. It is also known as the Square Mile (2.59 km²/1 mi²). It was the original settlement (ancient Londinium).

• the City of Westminster, where Parliament and most of the government offices are located. Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the Queen and the Royal family, is located there too.

Together they all make up a region known as Greater London.